Interviews: Interview techniques must dos and don'ts

Questions aren't the only moving parts of an interview. The social environment of the interview is also important. Interview technique is critical. How you behave as the interviewer will decide the success or failure of the interviews.

THE DON'TS

These are the absolute DON'TS for interviewers:

Hostility from interviewers is absolutely unacceptable. Many people shut down when confronted by a difficult or seemingly hostile interviewer. Not paying attention. Interviewee performance deteriorates if the panel doesn't seem to be paying attention or looks indifferent. Interviewees read the behavior of the interviewer consciously and unconsciously. Negative behavior can be a real discouragement. Bored interviewers, who've heard most of the answers ten times already, are another turnoff. It looks like nobody's interested. Interview panels who look like they're just there for decoration while the convener does all the work are another problem. The interview doesn't know if their questions are important or formalities.

Any one of these elements can guarantee a dismal result from the interview. The interviewees will be far less communicative. Even good interviewees will do less, so the information quality of the interview goes down. They tend to take their cues from the interviewers.

For younger entry level interviewees, the bad interview process can be quite destructive. Their interview training doesn't seem to be working, and they really don't know what they're doing wrong.

The interviewers have actually prevented the interviewees from engaging with the interview.

THE MUST DOS

The MUST DOS for interviewers are the exact opposite of the DON'TS.

• Interviewers must directly engage with each interviewee to make sure they participate fully. People often consider a job interview as an ordeal. In a hostile or apathetic environment, it is one. The only way to get good quality information from interviewees is to encourage dialog.
• Pay attention to everything which is said. Listen properly to answers. Don't allow yourself to get distracted. Ask more questions if required, to improve answer quality.
• Body language and 'vibes' are an issue for all interviewers. Sit comfortably, but look alert and attentive, as well as being alert and attentive. The interviewee has to know you're paying attention, and your signals are their way of monitoring your reactions to their answers. If they don't get positive signs, they'll shut down, sometimes in mid sentence.
• 'Interview fatigue' is quite common, particularly among conveners. After ten interviews you may be feeling entitled to be tired and bored. You're not. This is self inflicted. The fatigue is a result of bad scheduling, and doing too much at once. Keep some water handy for interviewers and interviewees, allow for 15 minute breaks between interviews. This also allows for time overruns, and keeping track of the inevitable work issues that pop up during interview sessions. Interviewees don't mind relatively short waits.

Interview panel members

Interview panel members are not there for decoration. They're required to make a useful contribution to the interview process:

• Panel members are obliged to engage interviewees, and conduct themselves effectively.
• They're required to be participating fully in the interview. That means asking questions, contributing opinions where necessary.
• Panel members must also be alert and receptive during the interview, to reassure the interviewees, as well as prove to the convener they're doing their own jobs properly.
• Their behavior and body language also has to be positive. An interview panel comprised of one active person and two inactive is confusing for the interviewees.

As the convener, your job is to make sure they do their jobs.